66 conscience, a soul full of philanthropy, full of patience, full of resignation to all the decrees of Providence, full of hope in a superior everlasting happiness in heaven. Are you blest with these good things? Then you will bear the want of all worldly prosperity without envy and without pain, nor will you think or say, on account of any sufferings which you may have to sustain, that as servants of your Redeemer you are not blessed, infinitely blessed. You will not, like the disciples, ask with worldly-minded views, Lord, what shall we have if we follow thee, adhere to thee, and submit ourselves to thy laws?" For you possess the most inestimable good,―an honest heart, and the assurance that nothing can separate you from the love of your God, and from the bliss to which he has called you. But lastly, my brethren, the kingdom of Christ is not of this world. It rests, therefore, on the obedience and fidelity which we have to shew as subjects of this kingdom, and not on eye-service, not on bodily exercises, not on outward works. All this has its value in the governments of the world, where the wisest ruler cannot see the heart, cannot search the thoughts. But in the kingdom of Jesus all should be mind and life; here the heart itself, not this or that work, is required. Here, therefore, no name is valued, no church communion, no forms of devotion, no worship of the lips, no cry of Lord, Lord,' no baptism and Lord's supper, no penance, prayers, and fasting. All this is worthless if thy heart is not concerned. Let not this be thought a hard saying, for the Scripture declares it, and the nature of the spiritual kingdom of Jesus confirms it. Nothing avails, it is expressly said, but a new creature in Christ Jesus. But what is that, a new creature? It is a heart cleansed by a change of disposition, and sanctified by faith. That first makes us good subjects of our exalted Mediator, that gives to all our adorations and good works their true Christian worth. May we, then, make a particular application of all these considerations; that we may try ourselves with impartiality, whether we belong to those who can sincerely rejoice and confide in the quality and advantages of the glorious kingdom of our blessed Redeemer. Let every one of us take those resolutions before God, to which he shall be instigated by this examination. I will only add this single representation: How must they who do not wilfully rebel against him, whom God has made both Lord and Saviour, how must they be impelled to do homage to him, with their whole soul, and to devote themselves entirely to his service, when they are mindful what a sacred right he has acquired to their love, their obedience, and their eternal gratitude, by his sufferings and his death! Has he not purchased us at an immense price to be his property? Can we think of his sorrows and his death on the cross, can we, especially, celebrate the solemn and affecting memorial of his love in the Lord's supper, and not form this resolution? Yes, I will live unto him who died for me, I will take his instructions for my law, his Spirit for my guide, his conduct in life for my pattern. I will be so minded as he was; neither sin, nor my own corrupt will, nor the estimation and example of men, nor the world and its pleasures shall henceforth have dominion over me. He alone, to whom I entirely belong, shall live and reign in me. Let us keep this holy festival with these thoughts and resolutions. Let thanksgiving and joy fill our souls, that our Saviour has not established a kingdom of this world, that we, as redeemed by him, are subjects of a better and more lasting kingdom; and let our most zealous diligence be exerted, that we may not forfeit the blessedness of this kingdom. An apostle thus warned the first Christians, and with this admonition I will conclude: "Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure, for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you. abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ." Amen. |